Two veteran minds, one shared vision. After years of mutual respect and creative alignment, RMS (Paul) and Jaybee (John) have come together for their first proper collaborative release with the Blueprint series on Dispatch Recordings. Drawing from classic jungle roots while bringing a razor-sharp modern edge, the two-part project is more than just a joint EP. It is a statement of intent. We caught up with the duo to find out how it all came together, what the name really means to them, and where the road leads next.

The Blueprint series lands as a two-part project with a real sense of purpose. Was there a clear idea from the outset, or did things take shape more organically once you got going?

Jaybee: Ideas were pretty clear. We both are drawn to the old school sound and love breaks, so we knew where we wanted to go in that respect.

RMS: Yeah, we definitely had a solid direction from the start. The goal was to build something rooted in that classic jungle vibe, but still bring our own flavour to it. Once we started laying things down, it all came together pretty naturally. We’ve both been inspired by that era for a long time, so the vision kind of shaped itself as we worked.

You’ve known each other for years, but this is the first proper release together. Why now? What made this the right moment to lock in and build something?

Jaybee: We actually had something, or maybe a couple of things, that were supposed to come out on Mac II, but it never did. We lost the legend Randall before he had a chance to put them out. We spent some time doing these collabs, and I think Paul sent the first one to Ant, and it just snowballed from there.

RMS: For me, it just felt like the right time creatively. We’ve known each other for a decade, and the chemistry’s always been there, but life, timing — all that stuff plays a part. This time around, everything lined up. The vibe was right, the tunes were flowing.

When it comes to writing together, what does the process actually look like for you? Is it headphones and stems, or getting in a room and pushing the levels?

Jaybee: Headphones? Nahhhhhhh. I can’t work if my ears aren’t almost bleeding. Some people hate working with me in the same room for that reason hahahahahah. We tried in a room together when we did that show together, but nothing ever came from it. In those situations, things are generally rushed cause you know you have a limited amount of time, so the result does not always come out as you would like. These days, it’s all stems.

RMS: Yeah, I’m the opposite — I’m all about that focused headphone zone. I need to be locked in, no distractions, just me and the stems. We’ve tried working in the same room before, and while it’s a vibe, it doesn’t always lead to the best results. Plus, we live in different countries, so sending stems back and forth just makes more sense. It gives each of us time and space to really fine-tune our ideas before bouncing them back. That remote workflow’s just become part of the process.

Were there any moments that nearly derailed the project, or times when it felt like the momentum dipped? How did you navigate that?

Jaybee: Not at all. Was always full steam ahead and “yeah, that’s dope” when each idea was sent back!!

RMS: Honestly, no real setbacks at all. Once we got going, the energy stayed high. Every time something new landed in the inbox, it was like, “Yep — let’s gooooooo!” We were both locked in, and the ideas just kept flowing. It’s rare to have that kind of momentum where everything clicks, but this one just had that feel from start to finish.

The sound across both EPs feels carefully honed, not just thrown together for the sake of it. What were you chasing creatively with these tracks?

Jaybee: Just to be able to make some good music. That is always my only goal!

RMS: For me, it was about capturing a certain mood — that raw energy you get from classic jungle, but with a bit of our own twist. We weren’t chasing trends or overthinking it, just trying to make tunes that hit hard, feel right, and stand the test of time. If it made us both nod our heads, that was the sign we were onto something.

Are there any tunes across the release that surprised you once they were finished, or went in a completely different direction than expected?

Jaybee: From my end, most of them. Paul was able to clean up the tunes remarkably, while still keeping the sound an homage to the older days, but with newer mixing techniques. When they left my studio, they probably sounded like they were made in the 90s, and when Paul sent them back, they sounded amazing.

RMS: Yeah, a few definitely took a turn I didn’t expect — in the best way. John's drum edits in particular blew me away. He’s got this insane attention to detail when it comes to breaks — chopping them just right, adding those little ghost hits, rolling things out in a way that gives everything movement and grit. I’d send something over thinking it was nearly there, and he’d flip the rhythm just enough to bring it to life. It really pushed the tracks to another level.

What does the name Blueprint represent to you? Is it a nod to something foundational, or more about mapping your own direction?

Jaybee: To me it represents the building blocks that formed this music. It means breaks, sub bass, vibes and the fundamentals the scene was built on.

RMS: For me, Blueprint is definitely about the foundation — the stuff I grew up on. The golden era of the late ’90s had such a huge impact: raw breaks, sub basslines, and the overall vibe that defined the sound. That era shaped how I listen to and create music even now. So the name felt fitting — it’s a nod to where we come from, while also mapping out our own direction within that tradition.

Dispatch has been a trusted home for a lot of heavyweight releases. What was your experience like working with the label, and how did the partnership come about?

Jaybee: That all came from Paul, but I have gone on to form a pretty good relationship with Ant.  Working with Dispatch is a great look. When Randall passed, I kind of found myself without a home, as I always gave him everything, and after sending most of my stuff to Ant and having him pick it up, it feels good to have an outlet again to release on.

RMS: My experience with Dispatch has been great. Thanks to the connection through NC-17, I linked up with Ant and Mikey, and it’s been full steam ahead ever since. They really understand the sound we’re going for and have been super supportive throughout the whole process. It feels good to have a label that’s behind us and pushing things forward.

Do you see this as a one-off project, or is there more on the way from the two of you?

Jaybee: Definitely more to come.

RMS: No way, this is just the start. We’ve got plenty more ideas brewing and can’t wait to get more music out there. It’s been a great collaboration, and there’s definitely more on the horizon.

What else should we be keeping an eye on from you both this year, whether solo, collaborative or something completely different?

Jaybee: Paul and I are working on new things. I also have a new project with Pixel called Do The Math that I am focusing a lot of my energy on. Almost everything we have done has been picked up by Ant so look for those releases in the future. There has also been chatter about a possible album from me on Dispatch. We shall see what the future brings...

RMS: John and I definitely have a lot more in the pipeline. I’m working on my debut album right now, which I’m really excited about. Alongside that, there’s more music coming out on my own label, Dubsoul Recordings, plus a few other labels I’m connected with. So there’s plenty to watch out for this year, both from us together and on our own.

And finally… if you could take just one drum and bass track by any artist, from any era, to a desert island, what would it be and why?

Jaybee: It would absolutely have to be the Here I Come remix that XTC Nottingham and Keen did. I absolutely loved that record all through my youth, and after talking to Adam(XTC) for a little bit, he casually mentioned he was one of the writers of that tune, and I flipped. Adam went on to be one of my closest and trusted friends, so it would have to be that record, cause it’s hands down one of the best old school tunes period, and it would keep his memory alive!

RMS: I’d go with Breakage’s Acid Rain remix. Always has and always will do my head in.

Big thanks to RMS and Jaybee for taking the time to speak with us. The Blueprint series is out now on Dispatch Recordings, available on all major platforms. Keep an eye out for more from this pairing, as well as solo projects, new collaborations, and a possible album on the horizon.